Sheibleys are Madison's 2010 Family of Year

Michael Mercier/The Huntsville TimesThe Sheibleys, from left, Jennifer, Gregory, 12, Katie, 17, Steven, 14, bob and Matthew, 10, are Madison's 2010 Family of the Year MADISON -- The Robert and Jennifer Sheibley family had to cancel four activities May 10 to attend the Madison City Council meeting.

Even the oldest child and only daughter Katie, 17, hobbled into the packed Council chambers on crutches to be there on this special occasion.

The Sheibleys were one of three finalists for the 2010 Madison Family of the Year honor. The other two finalists families were the Egglestons (William, LaToya, Nevaeh and Alivia) and the Wards (Larry and Deborah).

The sacrifice of canceling the activities paid off for the Sheibleys -- Robert (Bob) and Jennifer (father and mother), and children Katie, Steven, 14, Gregory, 12, and Matthew, 10 -- were named the 2010 Madison Family of the Year by John Butterfield, coordinator for the project which began in 1996.

"It was just an honor to be nominated," said Bob, 44. "I was real surprised when we got the e-mail we were nominated and really surprised when we were notified we were a finalist. I never dreamed we would win because of what all the families have done. I like to think we do a lot and you try to get the kids involved (in activities) so this is nice."

Jennifer, 45, said she was "overjoyed" with the honor.

"This is awesome," she said. "What an honor. I never expected it. This sure is a lot of fun."

The Sheibleys were honored during the meeting and presented a certificate from Madison Mayor Paul Finley who said they are "such an integral part of the city."

Finley has known the Sheibleys since he served as treasurer and Jennifer was the president of the Columbia Elementary PTA several years ago. However, he did not know they had won the honor until it was announced. Elected officials may not nominate a family for the honor.

"They are very deserving of it," said Finley.

After the presentation, the council took a rare break to honor all three families at a reception in the Municipal Complex lobby.

The Sheibley family portrait will hang in City Hall for the next year, replacing the David and Susan Abell 2009 Family of the Year portrait which was present to the Abells during the council meeting.

Butterfield praised the Sheibleys for their community involvement and said they received the honor, not an award, "because they earned it."

The Sheibley family is involved in all aspects of the Family of the Year requirements:

•Community and Civic Involvement : Robert, Gregory and Matthew are members of Indian Guides; Robert is a neighborhood association board member, Katie is on the Huntsville Hospital Foundation Leadership Council, and Katie, Steven and Gregory recorded over 200 community service hours in 2009.

•Religious Participation: The family attends St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and assists with Vacation Bible School and takes part in parish picnics.

•School Participation: Katie and Steve attend Catholic High School and Gregory and Matthew attend St. John's Catholic School. Robert serves as a basketball coach for the fifth/sixth grade and seventh/eighth grade teams, and chaperoned class retreat; Jennifer is a teacher aide, substitute teacher, room mom, chaperones field trips, and volunteers with school fundraising; All children play basketball and most take part in two or more sports and extracurricular activities.

•Individual Awards, Achievements, and Recognition: All children are on the All-A honor roll; Katie is a member of Girls State and Governors school; was on the All Area 15 3A basketball team; and took third place in the State Science Fair; Steven won a Knights of Columbus Scholarship; took second place in the school Geography Bee; was the HISL shot put and high jump champion and set a school shot put record; Gregory was the Madison City Winner in the Red Ribbon Week Poster contest.

•Family Cohesiveness: The following is a statement from the Sheibley family: "We are a very close family that supports each other on a daily basis by attending one another's school and athletic activities, helping with homework and projects, and pitching in to get chores done around the house. We make an effort to have family dinners together in the midst of our busy schedules, which allow us to discuss the day's events and plans for the coming days. Camping is another activity that bonds us together, either by traveling during the summer or on short weekend getaways to relax. We are truly a family that respects and admires one another and enjoys both the togetherness and the individuality each member brings to the family."